Bitcoin Q&A: What is the appeal of sound money?

What functions of money does the current stage of bitcoin fulfill? What is the current popular use case? Why will unit of account be the last function we achieve? Which use cases will accelerate bitcoin adoption in western countries (ex. Germany)? Why should we not be so hard on speculation and hedging against devaluation? What is the appeal of sound money? Will bitcoin become a world reserve currency? Why is gold not a good medium of exchange? How do we incentivise spending of bitcoin, when the current trend is to hold? Why is HODLing simultaneously hard? Why do mainstream economists call it "hoarding" instead of "saving"?

These questions are from the HoshoCon event, the October Patreon Q&A sessions, the Seattle 'Internet of Money' tour event, and the November Patreon Q&A session, which took place on October 11th, October 27th, November 10th, and November 17th 2018 respectively.

If you want early-access to talks and a chance to participate in the monthly live Q&As with Andreas, become a patron: https://www.patreon.com/aantonop

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Andreas M. Antonopoulos is a technologist and serial entrepreneur who has become one of the most well-known and respected figures in bitcoin.

Follow on Twitter: @aantonop https://twitter.com/aantonop
Website: https://antonopoulos.com/

He is the author of two books: “Mastering Bitcoin,” published by O’Reilly Media and considered the best technical guide to bitcoin; “The Internet of Money,” a book about why bitcoin matters.

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MASTERING BITCOIN, 2nd Edition: https://amzn.to/2xcdsY9

Translations of MASTERING BITCOIN: https://bitcoinbook.info/translations-of-mastering-bitcoin/

THE INTERNET OF MONEY, v1: https://amzn.to/2ykmXFs

THE INTERNET OF MONEY, v2: https://amzn.to/2IIG5BJ

Translations of THE INTERNET OF MONEY:
Spanish, 'Internet del Dinero' (v1) - https://amzn.to/2yoaTTq
French, 'L'internet de l'argent' (v1) - https://www.amazon.fr/Linternet-largent-Andreas-M-Antonopoulos/dp/2856083390
Russian, 'Интернет денег' (v1) - https://www.olbuss.ru/catalog/ekonomika-i-biznes/korporativnye-f